From the Board Chair

HILDA GALVAN

March marks Women’s History Month in the United States. What began as a singular day in 1978 evolved into Women’s History week in 1980, declared by President Jimmy Carter. Eventually, Congress passed a resolution making it a month-long celebration in 1987. Taking a moment to reflect on the achievements of women, I would like to celebrate the impact Texas Women’s Foundation made over the tenure of my board-term.

In July 2021, I began my term as Chair of the Texas Women’s Foundation Board of Directors. The 87th Texas Legislature had concluded with a record 48 women in office – approximately 26.67% of all representation. Families continued to struggle with pandemicimpacted child care and burnout, leading to an exodus of women from the workforce. People turned to Texas Women’s Foundation for answers. Texas Women’s Foundation launched the 2022 Economic Issues for Women in

Texas – the first research findings that began to unfurl COVID impacts on women. The Economic Leadership Council came together to create and implement best practices and policies to keep employees – particularly mothers – in their workforces. The Foundation continued to implement programming for women and girls, empowering their leadership potential and building the pipeline of leaders that Texas needs.

“I am honored to have held the Chair position at Texas Women’s Foundation.”

The Foundation disbursed more than $9.8 million in grants since July 2021. We made strategic investments in child care access to combat the increasing closures of child care centers in North Texas and across the state. TXWF invested more than one million dollars in child care between 2021 – 2023. As eviction bans lifted, the Foundation made more than one million dollars of investment in stable housing all over the state.

Advocating for Texas Women & Girls

Did you know that the only constitutional requirement for Texas lawmakers is to pass a two-year budget each legislative session? Though it is the only requirement, lawmakers will work until May 29, 2023, to pass laws that represent the interests of community stakeholders and constituents. However, budget creators for the 20242025 biennium have an especially large task this session: allocating an expected $32.7 billion budget surplus.

On Monday, January 9, 2023, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar revealed the state’s biennial revenue estimate – an expected $32.7 billion in budget surplus – the largest increase in state history. When accounting for constitutional spending limits, Texas will see a 26 percent increase in dollars from the last budget cycle. Texas Women’s Foundation will advocate at the Capitol to ensure that all possible funding will go towards providing comprehensive support for women and their families.

The Foundation will continue to highlight our research and promote the four economic pillars of success: equitable access to child care, health care, stable housing and education. However, this session, TXWF legislative work will prioritize advocacy in child care and health care.

The Foundation doubled down on advocacy. TXWF Chief Strategy Officer, Dena Jackson, Ph.D., and Director of Advocacy and Policy, Laura Atlas Kravitz, presented researching findings to lawmakers at the 88th Texas Legislature. There are currently 54 female legislators – nearly 29% - a new record that we hope will be shattered in the next legislative session.

And, finally, we celebrated one year with Miki Woodard as our CEO. She joined as the Foundation – and the world - transitioned back into meeting in person. During her first year, Miki focused on centering the needs of the employees, increased TXWF staff to match the growing, nuanced needs of Texas women and girls.

In April, the Foundation continues the celebration of Texan women with the Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration. I hope you will join us on April 27th to celebrate seven amazing women who are making tangible, positive impact in their communities across the state.

I am honored to have held the Chair position at Texas Women’s Foundation. In July, I hand off this prestigious role to Board Member and incoming Chair, Carrie Freeman Parsons. I look forward to the history Texas Women’s Foundation will make under Carrie’s leadership.

Based on conversations with state leadership, lawmakers understand that for the Texas economy to succeed, there must be increased access to child care and health care for all Texas women and their families.